Neath V Pontypool
Saturday 23rd October 2004

MATCH REPORT (by Phil Space)

(Photographs by Julian Brock)

NEATH 41 PONTYPOOL 11
The Blacks swept back to the top of the Welsh Premier Division when they cast aside the determined challenge of Pontypool at the rain-drenched Gnoll on Saturday.

Pooler were the architects of their own downfall as they suffered the indignity of four yellow cards. But Neath scorned wet-weather tactics and played some super stuff in a dazzling second-half that sent the healthy 2,000 crowd home happy as they had no right to expect such entertainment in the dreadful heavy rain.

Like against Bridgend, Neath started slowly and Pooler took the lead through a penalty by outside-half Sam Mills but, with visiting forwards Cox and Giles in the slammer, the Blacks struck twice from close-in mauls and flanker Andy Llewellyn grabbed two tries in quick succession.

Just before halftime a well-timed entry by wing Aled Brew carried him almost to the posts where he handed on to centre Andrew Bishop who crossed for his first League try and outside-half James Hook converted to give Neath a 17-3 lead.

Pooler with wind advantage struck two early blows with a try by ex-Neath Under-21's wing Shabaj Ali and a Mills penalty but the Blacks regained their composure and made light of the deteriorating conditions.

Pooler's indiscipline continued when captain Cae Trayhern was despatched to the sidelines and Neath again struck twice. Firstly, centre Wayne Mitchell powered over at the posts for Hook to convert then typical driving play by the forwards created the space and swift handling by the backs saw skipper Gareth Morris cross.

A clinical incision by wing Richard Johnston brought Neath's sixth try, Hook converting, and the Blacks finished off when replacement John McPhail charged over for their seventh try to seal a display that brightened up a dreary afternoon.

To complete Pooler's misery they had replacement flanker Gavin Donaldson binned too. Pontypool's misconduct matched the gloomy weather but Neath's rugby was of the sunnier version and rightly won the day.

Flanker Lee Beach deservedly took the "Man of the Match" award from ex-Neath scrum-half, the first WRU Cup-winning captain, Martyn Davies and the Blacks now move on to a televised clash at Cross Keys (5.30pm) on Saturday where maximum support is desirable.

Neath v Pontypool - Gareth Morris (captain); Aled Brew, Andrew Bishop (Aled Bevan), Wayne Mitchell, Richard Johnston (Neil Clapham); James Hook, Mark Davies (Martin Roberts); Paul Jones (Andrew Howell), Huw Bennett (Andrew Littlehales), Cai Griffiths; Steve Martin (Ian Evans), Chris Gittins; Andrew Llewellyn, Lee Beach, Aiono Senio (John McPhail)

The Man of the Match presentation performed by former Neath captain Martyn Davies to Neath back row man Lee Beach